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April 10, 2025 5:59 pm  #1


The Words Broadcasters Are Forbidden To Say On The Masters Coverage

It's the most prestigious tournament in professional golf, but it's also the ultimate in snob appeal. And that's why broadcasters who host the coverage of The Masters have to watch their words - or they may never be invited back on the telecast. 

The Masters' strange broadcasting rules including golf term pundits banned from using

 

April 10, 2025 6:22 pm  #2


Re: The Words Broadcasters Are Forbidden To Say On The Masters Coverage

The article says that broadcasters covering the Masters are only allowed 4 minutes per hour for commercials.  It will be interesting to watch TSN/CTV this weekend to see if this is true. 

 

April 10, 2025 6:24 pm  #3


Re: The Words Broadcasters Are Forbidden To Say On The Masters Coverage

Outside of the usual, what were banned words at the stations that you have worked in?

 

April 10, 2025 8:29 pm  #4


Re: The Words Broadcasters Are Forbidden To Say On The Masters Coverage

I don't recall ever being told not to say specific words.  One station that I worked at wanted announcers or newspeople to refrain making cities or towns in our coverage area sound as somewhere distant..  Eg. Down in Waterloo the temperature is...

Last edited by paterson1 (April 10, 2025 8:30 pm)

 

April 10, 2025 9:29 pm  #5


Re: The Words Broadcasters Are Forbidden To Say On The Masters Coverage

I remember an old veteran telling me his PD didn't restrict anything he could say beyond curse words, but he did advise him on time checks. It was verboten to ever refer to the competition on the dial in any way, so 10:50 was ten minutes to eleven, while 10:10 was ten minutes after ten. 

I also recall hearing that in the gold old days of the rivalry between 77 WABC and 57 WMCA in New York, when both were Top 40 giants, the "Good Guys" at 570 were told to never give the temperature as 77 degrees. It was always either 76 or 78. 

     Thread Starter
 

April 11, 2025 7:33 am  #6


Re: The Words Broadcasters Are Forbidden To Say On The Masters Coverage

I read the thread title, and figured this was going to be about new rules the White House press corps were required to follow. 🤔🤨

 

April 11, 2025 8:54 am  #7


Re: The Words Broadcasters Are Forbidden To Say On The Masters Coverage

There are plenty of rules for the "patrons" as well. Cell, phones, cameras and electronic devices are permitted during the practice rounds but are a major no-no during the tournament. Electronic watches and fitness trackers are allowed but if caught using them for anything other checking your heart rate or time of day, an ejection and possible ban from future tournaments will quickly follow. No signs, banners or flags and if you bring a chair, it must be collapsible with no arm rests. If you can't find a babysitter for your toddler, better stay home. Strollers are on the band list too. Naturally, the folks at Augusta take a dim view of the secondary ticket sale market and admittedly they can do little about it. However, you can and will be arrested if you try to do your transactions within a 2700' boundary of the golf course. Running can get you kicked out as well, so most people fast walk. When it comes to broadcasting, to make sure the networks follow the Augusta rules to the letter, 1. the broadcast rights are awarded on a one year basis only. Screw up. Bye Bye next year. 2. Augusta does not charge any broadcast rights fees for the telecast. That way they can control the number of ads per hour and to some extent the content of those ads. Augusta also controls how much of the tournament can be broadcast. CBS has broadcast the Masters since 1956 with six cameras. Initially, only the final four holes were telecast. Several years later CBS was given the green light to carry the entire final nine holes. Tournament coverage of the first nine holes did not begin until 1995. First and second round tournament coverage began in 1982 on USA, and now ESPN. I saved the number one cardinal rule that must never ever be broken. MONEY! The Master's Prize Purse is never discussed. At the Annual ceremony in Butler Cabin where the previous year's champion assists the champion wearing the Green Jacket and then bowing/showing their appreciation to the Augusta Gods er Owners. I am sure they are quietly thinking 1. How much longer is this dog and pony show going to last and 2. Where's my cheque? Bottomline. Augusta holds all the cards. You play by my rules or you don't play. They consider television coverage of their tournament a priviledge and can withdraw it at any time. They can survive quite comfortably on club membership fees which are a closely guarded secret. However, a 2019 Golf.com article indicated that the initiation fee is in the $40,000 range.